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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what is NOT okay to buy second hand

288 replies

minddeter · 21/04/2021 14:09

I try to buy second hand stuff as much as possible. I need some new towels-are second hand towels unacceptable?

I think second hand knickers would be a line drawn and towels have probably been just as close if not closer to someone's Front Bottom.

Where do you personally draw the line?

OP posts:
Thisisworsethananticpated · 21/04/2021 16:52

Why not
We use washed towels in hotels and gyms

Koolandorthegang · 21/04/2021 16:53

My sister sold her old toilet once. As the guy who bought it off her carried it to his car, lots of brown liquid dripped out everywhere.

She could sell anything to anyone. We call her Delboy

Koolandorthegang · 21/04/2021 16:54

I love second hand stuff but I think I’d draw the line at second hand tights and knickers. And stuff like babies soothers and bottles.

BigWoollyJumpers · 21/04/2021 16:57

Interesting thread. I have been wondering what to do with a lot of my recently passed away DM's linens in particular. Lots of fairly new towels, as I bought a load from JL for her last year.... I might have those actually.

How about a huge stack of antique Italian linen? Bed linen, tablecloths, napkins, all heavy linen, embroidered, or with lace inserts? Does anyone even bother with linen anymore?

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 21/04/2021 16:59

My sister sold her old toilet once. As the guy who bought it off her carried it to his car, lots of brown liquid dripped out everywhere.

I was with you until the brown liquid! A (cleaned) toilet bowl is just an item made of porcelain, the same as if you'd bought a second-hand gravy boat (would still hope the seller would clean off all brown liquid first, though). It's not like you're going to lick or eat off it. The horror at buying something that somebody has actually pooed in that you're going to, erm, poo in!

crosstalk · 21/04/2021 17:00

Mattresses and pillows a no no.

Also plants unless I know where they've come from and don't bring disease or unwanted invasive weeds alongside ....

Muminabun · 21/04/2021 17:00

@VettiyaIruken

Dildo.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
dementedma · 21/04/2021 17:00

Condoms

RaspberryCoulis · 21/04/2021 17:01

@BigWoollyJumpers

Interesting thread. I have been wondering what to do with a lot of my recently passed away DM's linens in particular. Lots of fairly new towels, as I bought a load from JL for her last year.... I might have those actually.

How about a huge stack of antique Italian linen? Bed linen, tablecloths, napkins, all heavy linen, embroidered, or with lace inserts? Does anyone even bother with linen anymore?

YES!! linen sells well. In our shop we'd probably put it online to advertise to a larger market.
Mamamamasaurus · 21/04/2021 17:01

Sanpro (all kinds) . Helmets (motorcycle or bike). Car seats. Bedding and towels (I don't use hotel towels). Underwear of any kind, including bras. Socks. Hairbrush (the thought gives me the ick).

Probably more but that's all I can think of right now

user1471523870 · 21/04/2021 17:03

Only anything that I can't wash. I am ok with swimming costumes or bed sheets as after a good wash they are ok.
But mattresses, pillows or personal items that are not washable no.

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 21/04/2021 17:04

I always boughts second hand pyjamas for my DC which is no different from second hand underwear.

Don’t you wear undies underneath your pjs? If so, I really don’t see how they’re the same at all.

I draw the line at second hand undies personally as well as mattresses, bedding, pillows and duvets. Basically anything ‘intimate’. Having said that, I’ve bought lots of second hand nappies over the years and never batted an eyelid at that. Just seems different to grown up underwear somehow.

IHaveBrilloHair · 21/04/2021 17:04

The most intimate thing, if you can call them that, that I've bought is shoes.
Not ones with erm, "special listings" though, just trainers.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 21/04/2021 17:05

Bedding and towels (I don't use hotel towels)

But do you take your own bedding when you go to a hotel and strip and re-make the bed? If not, what's the difference, really?

IHaveBrilloHair · 21/04/2021 17:07

I've never bought second hand towels, but I used to work in a hotel and they send all the towels and bedding out to be industrially washed, so its fine.

IHaveBrilloHair · 21/04/2021 17:09

Cross post WeBuilt
Also thanks for the earwormGrin

Billythecandlestickmaker · 21/04/2021 17:11

@BigWoollyJumpers

Interesting thread. I have been wondering what to do with a lot of my recently passed away DM's linens in particular. Lots of fairly new towels, as I bought a load from JL for her last year.... I might have those actually.

How about a huge stack of antique Italian linen? Bed linen, tablecloths, napkins, all heavy linen, embroidered, or with lace inserts? Does anyone even bother with linen anymore?

ME! I would love your vintage linen. 😍 I fell down the ebay rabbit hole earlier in the year looking at vintage tablecloths etc, brought a few.

Ebay it, you might be surprised the kind of money you'll get for it!

caringcarer · 21/04/2021 17:27

Cot mattress
Child car seat
Cycle helmet

I don't mind second hand clothing and cars. I have also re-homed a georgious rescue cat.

Koolandorthegang · 21/04/2021 17:31

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

My sister sold her old toilet once. As the guy who bought it off her carried it to his car, lots of brown liquid dripped out everywhere.

I was with you until the brown liquid! A (cleaned) toilet bowl is just an item made of porcelain, the same as if you'd bought a second-hand gravy boat (would still hope the seller would clean off all brown liquid first, though). It's not like you're going to lick or eat off it. The horror at buying something that somebody has actually pooed in that you're going to, erm, poo in!

@WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll

Tell me about it! She maintains that she thoroughly cleaned the loo before he came for it and that the brown liquid came from a place that must have been impossible for her to have cleaned but I’m not sure...

Her DH hid in the bedroom with the mortification. He wants nothing to do with her second hand wheeling and dealing Grin

Nesski · 21/04/2021 17:39

Gotta be a toilet brush

Nordicwannabe · 21/04/2021 17:47

Yes to the vintage linen! Any chance of a photo? You might sell it here Grin. wanders off to look for beautiful vintage tablecloths on ebay

Thisisworsethananticpated · 21/04/2021 17:48

Mooncups 😀

mathanxiety · 21/04/2021 18:01

How about a huge stack of antique Italian linen? Bed linen, tablecloths, napkins, all heavy linen, embroidered, or with lace inserts? Does anyone even bother with linen anymore?

Send it this way!

I have some lovely items bought at yard sales back in the late 80s. Embroidered linen placemats that are strangely modern looking because of the colour of the embroidery (taupe), and also some applique work.

Gothichouse40 · 21/04/2021 18:05

Underwear, mattresses and shoes, I do not buy secondhand.

Bluntness100 · 21/04/2021 18:08

It depends on how skint I was. But I’d draw the line at undies, swimwear, socks, bed linen, face cloths, and towels.